FL Keys Anchorages – Key West
PLEASE CAREFULLY READ OUR DISCLAIMER!
Please Note That Anchorages Below Are Listed in A Rough North to South And East to West Geographic Format
PLEASE CAREFULLY READ OUR DISCLAIMER!
Please Note That Anchorages Below Are Listed in A Rough North to South And East to West Geographic Format
112. Wisteria Island (Christmas Tree Island) Eastern Anchorage
Lat/Lon: near 24 33.945 North/081 48.557 West
Location: lies off the island’s southeasterly banks, northwest of flashing buoy #25
Minimum depth: 8-feet
Swing Room: theoretically unlimited, but really limited by the proximity of fellow craft; I would probably not try to anchor boats larger than 48 feet here
Foul Weather Shelter: fair, but open to southern, northern and northeasterly winds
Rating:
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113. Wisteria Island (Christmas Tree Island) Northwesterly Anchorage
Lat/Lon: near 24 34.228 North/081 48.756 West
Location: off the northwesterly Wisteria Island shoreline
Minimum depth: 6-feet
Swing Room: theoretically unlimited, but really limited by the proximity of fellow craft; I would probably not try to anchor boats larger than 48 feet here
Foul Weather Shelter: fair, but wide open to northern, northeastern, western and southwestern winds
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After the keys open back up planing a sail down and be on the hook for a few days here and new info on this anchorage would be helpful thank you ,Bye Bye Baby!
114. Fleming Key/Man of War Harbor Anchorage
Lat/Lon: near 24 34.658 North/081 48.083 West
Location: found north of the cove indenting Fleming Key’s westerly banks,
Minimum depth: 12-feet
Swing Room: unlimited
Foul Weather Shelter: fair, but open to western, northwestern and southwestern winds
Rating:
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115. Garrison Bight – Fleming Key Mooring Field
Lat/Lon: heart of the mooring field is found near 24 34.240 North/081 47.416 West
Location: lies along a broad swath of water between Fleming Key and Sigsbee Park, north-northwest of Garrison Bight
Minimum depth: 6 ½+-feet
Special Comment: call City of Key West, Garrison Bight Marina at 305-292-8167 to secure a mooring
Swing Room: sufficient room for vessels as large as 48 feet
Foul Weather Shelter: good, but open to northern winds
Waste Pump-out Availability: A pump-out boat services the Key West Garrison Bight mooring field. Call the City Marina at (305) 809-3981 or Ch-16 VHF Mooring Field Dockmaster. For more information, go to
http://www.keywestcity.com/department/division.asp?fDD=13-139
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Hi James,
Are there any docks, balls or cheap marinas from Big Coppitt Key to the Boot Key Ball area? I am going to be working in a music duet in that area while also a novice captain of a 38′ Morgan w 3.6 draw. I would want to avoid that North wind chop and also rely on a bicycle due to knee problems. My more secure alternative now only seems to be the Boot Key Balling area. Any help or suggestions are appreciated.
Charly Petra
We have been tied to a mooring ball for 5 days at the Garrison Bight Field. Its been great. The fee is $16.59 per night and monthly breakeven is 17 nights. Fee includes showers, laundry facilities and dinghy dock parking at the Garrison Bight. A mile walk to Winn Dixie, mile to the Beach. We take the dingy around to the Key West Bight to see that side of island and the famous attrations.
Protection is reasonable with the most exposure from the north, but we did just fine with N15-20.
You need to put your own line on the mooring. This is difficult for our trawler with a high bow. Ususally someone sees a new boat coming in and goes out to help with a dinghy. We had a buddy boat when we arrived and used one of the dinks to get both.
Skooch 42 Hatteras LRC
Comments from Cruisers (5)
Just take care that your anchor does not get stuck in the many custom made moorings around the island. I picked up an engine block once trying to haul anchor. Many derelict boats with questionable ground tackle all over.
Be careful of the shoal in the middle that looks like a great empty anchor spot.
However once you navigate all the above it is a great spot very close to KW and a much better location than the city mooring field. Never had issues with “piracy” in the many years I have gone there. Might be dumb luck though but I do lock up when I leave the boat.
Patrick
Just off of Christmas tree is the place to be. It’s convenient to the municipal docks & out of the way. There are areas where there is 8-10 inches of sand over limestone, and you will think you are dug in well but will drag like a mother in the first squall, so make certain you’re dug in.
Also, an open hatch is considered an invitation. A closed hatch with a big lock will generally be left alone.
Starfish
Anchoring on the south side of wisteria (christmas tree) island will give you some shelter from the north but it’s rolly from wakes (especially in the early morn. when the charter boats go out). Holding is fair but use caution. It’s a short dink ride across the channel to the harbor where the dink dock is (payment enforcement haphazard… meaning you never know so just pay). note: going back across the channel in a northerly blow can be extremely rough and wet.
Also remember that K.W. has been pirate country for centuries… and still is. Use common sense and you will have a great time.
Cheers,
MM
We are currently behind Wisteria Island. The whole area is surrounded with boats. North of the Island east and west. The cityKWB marina maintains dinghy dock for 26 a week or 80 a month. Just pick a spot with enough swing, lotta boats.
forsailbyowner
The last time we were here, the anchorage was an overcrowded assemblage of derelict boats-many of which were liveaboards who never left their mooring. It was too crowded to anchor safely and frankly, I wouldn’t anchor there under those conditions. It may have changed since the advent of the new mooring field and perhaps the derelict boats have gone.